As part of the annual Crookwell Potato Festival last weekend the first harvest of Gold Crookwell Potatoes, grown in the rich basalt soil of the Highlands, were auctioned off.

The potatoes covered in a goldish-brown skin are indigenous to Peru. 

Despite an energetic back-and-forth bid Darren O’Brien, representing boss Andy Divall, of Divall’s Earthmoving Bulk Haulage Goulburn, was successful and closed the auction at $1000. 

A great supporter of the Upper Lachlan and Goulburn community, his donation was generously received by the Shire. 

Fifty per cent of the money will go towards the Upper Lachlan Shire Foundation and be re-invested to Crookwell and the surrounds.

Mr O’Brien described Mr Divall as “very community minded”.

“When he told me to come out here and bid for the potatoes he said, ‘Make sure they get to $1000’,” he recalled.

When asked what Mr Divall would do with the box of Golden Potatoes, weighing at about 40kg, Mr O’Brien was unsure. 

“I haven’t spoken to him about it but he has a fair sized family, it might be divvied. I might even get some,” the proud employee said lightheartedly.